Cultivating resilience after a challenging gMG diagnosis

Jasmine Nathan was diagnosed with generalized myasthenia gravis with thymoma in 2018, but now has her gMG fully managed. (Photo courtesy of Jasmine Nathan)

This is Jasmine Nathan’s story:

It was the summer of 2018 in Chicago. I was trying to balance everything. I had a husband, a stepson, a thriving career — and a job interview. I remember taking a picture in the mirror that morning in my white top and gray skirt, and thinking I looked good.

“I will get this job, and my husband and I will buy this house.”

Until the next day, when I drove my stepson to his day care, and I realized I couldn’t see the sun, which seemed to obstruct my view.

This had never happened to me before. I managed to get back home to call a friend to take me to the hospital. I am a veteran, so we went to a Veterans Affairs facility. I went to see an eye doctor, but at that point, the doctor couldn’t figure out what was going on. It began to get worse later in the day.

I was sent to get an MRI scan of my brain, and it took about an hour. It was at this point that I was truly worried, and I couldn’t wrap my head around what could possibly be the issue.

During this time, the doctors decided to admit me. I then knew it was serious.

That same night, I had a team of doctors come to my bedside and tell me they wanted to run further tests because they thought I might have multiple sclerosis (MS). I held in my emotions until the doctors left, and I began to cry. I was scheduled for several tests, one being bloodwork, and then a lumbar puncture and a CT scan. A lumbar puncture is when a needle is inserted into your spine to collect fluid, and yes, I objected until I couldn’t.

I can honestly say the lumbar puncture was the worst procedure I have ever endured! The next day, after being poked like a lab rat and examined, the same team of doctors came back and told me that MS was out of the picture and myasthenia gravis, aka MG, was now in. I remember being confused.

I was officially diagnosed with generalized myasthenia gravis — gMG — with thymoma. A thymoma is a rare tumor that can grow slowly and can be cancerous. Mine was not. In 48 hours, life changed so extremely.

MG truly changed my life that year. I ended up resigning from my job, having a robotic thymectomy to remove the tumor, and having to adjust my whole existence.

But fast-forward to 2025! My MG is fully managed, and I proudly advocate for my condition. I’ve transformed my life by securing a new job, relocating, and nurturing a fulfilling relationship.

Cultivating resilience has empowered me to face any challenge head-on, no matter what life throws my way.

In recognition of Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month in June, the Myasthenia Gravis Community Spotlight campaign features a series of stories highlighting the real-life experiences of people affected by myasthenia gravis, written in their own words. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or X for more stories like this, using the hashtag #MGSpotlight, or read the full series here.